Thomas Cook collapse means holidays will be more expensive next year – here’s how you can avoid sky-high prices
YOUR holidays could be much more expensive next year following the collapse of Thomas Cook.
The good news is that there are some ways you can still find cheap getaways.
Thousands of Brits found themselves without flights or holidays after the UK’s oldest tour operator went into liquidation earlier this month.
This has already had a knock-on effect on prices, with airlines such as Jet2 and Ryanair tripling their rates due to high demand.
Pricey holidays could even roll into 2020.
This is because airlines have less competition, especially on Thomas Cook routes.
With demand staying constant, prices will be pushed up automatically.
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Nick Cooper, Head of Market UK at HolidayPirates, told Sun Online Travel: “Holiday prices are often based on the supply and demand of the industry, so if one of the main contributors collapses, it means that other companies will need to meet holidaymaker’s demands.
“This is hard to do with fewer plane seats and activity capacity and, as such, prices will inevitably increase.
“Also, sophisticated computer algorithms allow airlines to alter their prices minute by minute, so when holidaymakers started to look for alternative flights, the algorithm picked up on the demand and, as such, a spike in price occurred.”
He added that Thomas Cook was also popular with Brits looking for winter sun deals, with prices from now until January likely to even “quadruple” in price.
However, there are ways to try and avoid being stung by overpriced costs.
We explain how to make sure you still grab a bargain break.
Avoid previous Thomas Cook airport hubs
Andri Kristinsson, CEO of the travel guide platform Travelade said that by avoiding key hubs that Thomas Cook operated at such as Manchester or London, savings could be found.
She added: “See if you could find a cheap train to Leeds or Liverpool, for example, and find a flight departing from there instead.”
Choose less popular destinations
Instead of going for the obvious holiday destinations such as Malaga or Lisbon, choosing to go a bit further can mean bigger savings.
Andri explained: “Search for holiday destinations, transportation, and activities that are not as popular and are off the beaten path, so that while everyone is frantically looking for long-haul flights from London, for example, you are finding hidden gems and unique experiences.”
Nick also said to avoid areas where Thomas Cook was most active such as the Caribbean and the Canaries.
Check your hotel prices before your flights
While the cost of your plane ticket might be increasing, hotel prices could drop in price.
This is because travel agents will be trying to fill the gap left by empty Thomas cook hotels.
Nick explained: “There will be a lot of hoteliers who relied on Thomas Cook customers and will now have no forward bookings and, as such, all of their occupancy targets and revenue targets will be radically adjusted.
“This means that they will need to find a way to get customers into their properties and as a result, even though the flight prices are rising, there may be some amazing deals for hotels around.”
Opt for non-package holidays
Travel money specialist FairFX found that package holidays are 10 per cent more expensive thank booking hotels and flights separately.
CEO Ian Strafford-Taylor said that “in some cases package holidays can be up to £1,000 more expensive”.
Shopping around for cheaper flight deals along with hotels, or even home rentals or hostels, could offer more choice and more bargains.
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